FEATURE SPONSOR ECOLOGY - SURVEYING FOR BATS
CASE STUDY Royal HaskoningDHV, working on behalf of DONG energy for the onshore element of a wind farm development in Walney, Cumbria has implemented the principles of these best practice survey guidelines to inform the ecological impact assessment and in turn provide a well informed and robust methodology to aid the planning inspectorate’s decision making process for this development.
THIS INVOLVED…
• Undertaking a specific desk study for obtaining records of bats (both roosting and activity records) within the proposed working areas
• Undertaking detailed daytime inspection surveys to note features and areas of interest within the proposed working areas
• Undertaking monthly bat activity transect surveys of the proposed working areas
No potential bat roosting sites were noted within the proposed working areas.
MONITORING
Hedgerows were noted to be a dominant feature within the local landscape and were subsequently assessed as having value to foraging and commuting bats. Using ecological professional judgment, monitoring of bat activity within the proposed working areas was recommended.
This involved undertaking monthly bat activity transects surveys, particularly at specific locations where risks to bats were thought to be of highest concern. The findings of the monthly transect revealed that the proposed working areas supported a low number of bats using the hedgerows and ditches within the site.
SUMMARY – CONTINUOUS OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENTS Potential impacts of wind farm developments on bat populations are still being understood, despite increasing amounts of research and evidence being obtained.
Therefore it is imperative that surveys and subsequently assessments in respect of bats are undertaken in accordance with best practice survey guidelines to ensure transparent, well informed and robust assessments to inform the decision makers for such developments.
Royal HaskoningDHV Click to view more info
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
11
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116